BritInParis

Shirtback has pre-empted me. You'll need to obtain your grandfather's military records to prove he was recruited in the UK. If so then your mother would be British otherwise than by descent and you would have received British citizenship by descent.

lhelena

I get that you can pass on citizenship if you are British otherwise than by descent.
I have never heard of this term before, I only knew of: British citizenship, British overseas territories citizen, British overseas citizen, British subject, British national (overseas) and British protected person.
One of my mother’s old passports says: British subject
So could I ask the home office to search into the matter?
So I will have to prove that my grandfather was recruited in the UK.
But how can he be in the British Indian Army if not recruited?

BritInParis

The Home Office isn't going to do any leg work for you. If you want to be registered as a British citizen then you'll need to provide the documents to demonstrate that you are eligible.

Your grandfather could have been recruited for service in the Indian Army in India in which case you wouldn't be eligible.

lhelena

I suppose he went through the British army as his father was in the British army.
Anyway I'll apply and let u know.
Thank u for all your help and info, I'll be back

formula

I've done a lot of work on my family tree and every man recuited into the forces from within the UK, went into British regiments: even the two who were then stationed in India.

Shirtback

I'm glad I got that bit right.

Britinparis, if it transpires that Helena's mother is British by descent, does the mother's UK residence come into play to change anything? Or not?

You need to prove that he was recruited into the British Army in the UK, not the British Indian Army directly, & then for whatever reason ended up in the BIA.

The Home Office won't do any research. Any and all research has to be done by you, then you supply the records/proof to be considered/analysed.

37100

' suppose' unfortunately won't cut it with HMPO. Don't waste money on applying if you don't have the paperwork to back up your claim.

BritInParis

No. Registration under S.3(2) or S.3(5) BNA 1981 would only work if she was still under 18. If her mother does turn out to be British by descent she would need to reside in the UK for six years and naturalise like anybody else. Helpfully she has an EU passport which would likely make this a lot easier if she wanted to go down that route.

Yep.

Shirtback

Thank you !!

lhelena

When women had the right, she did apply but the british embassy in greece denied her application...

lhelena

8th Punjab Regiment, found info on the newspaper under births

Shirtback

That was a part of the British Indian Army. I don't see that it advances your case unfortunately.

I'll repeat: you need to request your grandfather's army records from official sources. There are links upthread.

lhelena

My uncle thinks he was recalled as a reservist but he had 26 years service in army. Anyway he’ll look at w/e & see

Shirtback

That's all very well. HOWEVER, the only way you are going to find out FOR SURE, is to obtain his Army records. I gave you the links.

Years of service won't matter if it's the BIA. What matters is whether he was recruited into the British Army, *in* the UK.

lhelena

Have my aunt checking on the files.
She mentioned that he received an army pension from DFID.
Let u know more...